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POSTED UNDER Spironolactone For Acne REVIEWS

23 Years Old, Acne and Scarring - Brooklyn, NY

ORIGINAL POST

In short, Dr. Andrea Hui is amazing at what she...

AllieR123September 10, 2014
WORTH IT$500
In short, Dr. Andrea Hui is amazing at what she does.
I had suffered from acne for about 9 years, starting at the age of 14. Despite all the acne regimens, diet changes, home remedies and exercise, I could never achieve clear skin. I then reached a point where I just gave up. I had acne from my temples down to my chin and both cheeks. Worst of all, my skin scars so all marks just stay and darken and it would take layers of make up to cover it up (when I came to see Dr. Hui, I was using liquid AND powder foundation in conjunction with concealer to cover the scars-- that's how bad it was). At the same time, I was hesitant to see a dermatologist because I didn't want to be prescribed Accutane like everyone else (those side effects - no thank you). By random chance, I met Dr. Andrea Hui.
The first thing I told Dr. Hui was "I give up on my skin, you can try." But Dr. Hui took one look at my skin and said, "We're going to clear it up, you just have a slight hormonal problem." From there, I was put on a retinoid cream, spironolactone, aczone gel and a temporary antibiotic. She also advised on best cleanser and moisturizer/sunscreen to use. All this was typed up for me on my "acne treatment plan" so there was no confusion on what I should be doing. I followed it to the last detail. The first month was a little tough as my skin continued to break out. However, by months 2 and 3, I saw DRASTIC improvement. Significantly less acne, scars lightening. I've just completed month 3 and I have had no breakouts for weeks. In fact, the scars are so much lighter, I barely wear any make up at all (if I even decide to wear make-up that day)!
It feels amazing to go outside with a bare face for the first time in 9 years without feeling self-conscious and I have Dr. Hui to thank for that! She listened to my concerns and made a personalized treatment plan. Plus, who can take one look at your face, diagnose you and be 100% right? Very impressed. New York will miss Dr. Hui!

AllieR123's provider

Andrea Hui Austin, MD

Andrea Hui Austin, MD

Dermatologic Surgeon, Board Certified in Dermatology

AllieR123 rating for Dr. Hui Austin:

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Answered my questions
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Replies (26)

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Eva G
September 12, 2014
Congrats!! What a relief it must be for you, especially to not have to worry about make up...so happy for you! Thank you for sharing photos, your skin shows a drastic improvement! 
Jerseyjill
October 2, 2014
I just wanted to tell you that I totally relate to your story, because I finally sought treatment for very similar looking acne at 22, when I was living in Brooklyn, and commuting to Manhattan every day working as a financial analyst. I remember being so embarrassed to ride the bus and look at people in their faces. Finally, my mom said to me that she thought that MAYBE I would like to see a dermatologist for my skin, because it seemed to her like it was bothering me. Looking back, the way she asked me was so perfectly put, that I need to call her and thank her for that now. We went to the "best" doctor that we could find, one who counted Billy Joel as one of his very famous patients. Well let me tell you money absolutely does NOT buy you a good doctor with any sort of bedside manner. He put me on retin a and minocycline, and gave me no skin care advice, except when responding to my question as to whether or not I would be scarred for life. His answer was one word...yes. The ironic part is that his wife now runs a very successful makeup and skin care line. She was selling cosmetics in his office 25 years ago, where she got her start. I am assuming she had no skin care products to offer me at the time!! Fast forward 25 years. I am now an esthetician, and have an opportunity to give people hope with their skin, and remind them that they should never lose sight of that. I get compliments every day on how perfect and beautiful my skin is, and I never take those compliments for granted. Sometimes it is hard for me to just say thanks, because I feel like I need to explain that it wasn't always that way and that it takes work. Something you know first hand. Your skin looks beautiful and your doctor sounded lovely. Thank you so much for sharing your story. You will have beautiful skin for the rest of your life, but just remember one thing...SUNSCREEN!!!!! Xoxo, Jill
AllieR123
October 12, 2014
Hi Jill, thanks so much for sharing! I know what you mean! I find it funny when I talk to some of my friends and they tell me that some dermatologists will just prescribe medications and that's it-- no explanation of how it's used, when to use it, how to integrate it into your routine, and what non-prescription products to use. It's just as important (if not more important) to establish a healthy and clean skincare routine... everything from cleanser to moisturizer and sunscreen. There are so many different types of products out there now that it hard to figure out what actually works for your skin. I work in retail and it's a common belief that the more expensive and exclusive the brand is, the better the product. I'm sure there are some great products out there but I was advised to use the Cerave line and I find that it works great for me. One last point, you're totally right about the sunscreen. I didn't use it for years until Dr. Hui told me to. After reading lots online, I realized it's probably the most important part of maintaining your skin.
Jerseyjill
October 12, 2014
Sunscreen sunscreen sunscreen...even when it's cloudy!!! When it is sunny and you will be enjoying the beautiful weather, reapply every 80 minutes. Words to live by..so happy for you and your beautiful skin!!
birdland
October 24, 2014
I had a similar experience. Have you heard of Howard Sobel, not sure how he was selected as one of the top derms in NY. When I got to my apt I was seen by his PA and he stopped by to shake my hands. When he arrived I told both him and his PA who had written me a prescription for retinoid that I didn't what to use retinoid because it was irritating and was causing broken blood vessels. His respond was I havent been treated by him so I need to use the products. What made a difference in your acne?
birdland
October 24, 2014
Jill, Do you also have a favorite dermatologist in NY? I've had the worst luck with finding a good derm? I had a problem where I eventually forced myself to use tazorac and my pores started to form a connect the dot line. I went to my derm right away and she insisted that I continue to use it. A week later the pores eventually connected and form a line and I woke up with wrinkles on my forehead, chin and cheeks.
Jerseyjill
October 25, 2014
You don't HAVE to use a retinoid to clear acne. I've found some of the best combinations for treating acne are the use of an oral antibiotic( for example, minocycline) and a topical gel with a combination of clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide. As long as it is a low concentration of benzoyl (2.5%) it SHOULDN'T irritate your skin. There's a topical out called acanya gel which seems to work well. Hope this helps!!!
Jerseyjill
October 25, 2014
I really don't have a favorite...I live in New Jersey now and can't even find a good one here!!! Tazorac is very drying, so I can imagine that it could do that to you. It stinks that sometimes you have to be just as informed as the dr concerning your skin, but if you stress that your skin is sensitive to certain topicals, hopefully they will listen. Have you added an oral antibiotic ever??
Jerseyjill
October 25, 2014
See above post:))
birdland
October 24, 2014
Which retinoid cream are you using? Are you using the retinoid at night and aczone gel during the day? I've never heard of aczone gel (I'll google it:). Did you find the gel or retinoid better? What cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen are you use? Can you share your am and pm routine? How long has she recommend using spironolactone? Birth control has been the most helpful in my acne journey? Many thanks.
AllieR123
October 25, 2014
Hey there! The retinoid I'm using is Tretinoin Cream 0.05%. Here's what my skin routine is like: AM: 1. Wash my face with Cerave Hydrating Cleanser and pat dry. 2. Put on Cerave Facial Moisturizing Lotion, SPF 30. You could go with SPF 50 if you're fair. 3. Put a small dab of Aczone gel on any pimples or zits (it will minimize it like crazy within a few hours). Make sure you rub it in, otherwise it does not dry clear. And by the way, I only use this as a spot treatment. PM: 1. Remove any make up with make up wipes. 2. Wash face with Cerave cleanser and pat dry. 3. Dab a pea-sized portion of tretinoin on to face and rub in. 4. Apply Aczone gel to any pimples or zits and let it dry onto the skin. I'm a little more liberal with the aczone gel at night. 5. Pop a spironolactone. 6. Sleep! I used Aczone as a spot treatment a lot during my first 2 months since I had a lot of break outs back then and I think it helped a lot. Definitely minimized redness, puss bumps... all that fun stuff. However, I really do not use it that much now. It comes in a rather large tube and I've never even needed a refill. The retinoid, however, I use every night and really keeps my skin looking fresh. The one down side is that it's a bit drying until your skin gets used to it (I went through a bad peeling period for about a week). Between aczone and a retinoid, I think Aczone is optional, retinoid is necessary. As for spironolactone, I'm on it indefinitely. Some of the side effects of it are it makes you super thirsty (especially if you're not someone who usually drinks a lot of water, like me) and it might mess up your period for a month or two. It's great to hear that BC is working for you! I heard it's a common alternative to spiro. If it's working, don't stop! I was on the pill for a couple of years but it didn't really help my skin too much unfortunately. Hope this helps!!
Jerseyjill
October 25, 2014
Just a thought for people who are irritated by retinoids...it is a VERY good idea to get your skin acclimated to the retinoid by started on a low dose(even .25) every third day, and then move up to every other day and stay there. Every day is not necessary and DESTROYED my skins barrier. I wish I had known this before I became an esthetician. Also, you want to use a moisturizer day and night, especially to counteract the dryness. Oil-free, if you're oily, but unless you put moisture back into your skin after cleansing, it thinks it's dry and produces even MORE oil to compensate for the dryness. Hope this helps!!
birdland
October 27, 2014
Allie, Thank you for taking the time to put this together. At night are you not using a moisturizer? I'm going to see a new derm and I'll ask for aczone gel.
birdland
October 27, 2014
Jerseyjill, Thanks for all the tips. I tried Clinique 2.5% benzoyl peroxide lotion which worked very well but I noticed it causes hyperpigmentation (I have Allie's complexion.) My problem in white heads. They form bumps on my skin. When using salicylic I have to extract the whitehead to get the swelling down. With benzoyl peroxide I just apply to the bump and the swelling goods down. I am not sure what happens to the white head because I don't have to remove it. I like this method because I don't have to pick at my skin but the bp leaves a dark imprint on my skin. I think my skin has been destroyed that everything irritates it and causes hyperpigmentation. I tried doxycycline but didn't find it helpful. I use to have glycolic peels with extraction but the last peel I noticed a white line appear on my skin. I'm so afraid to do anything to my skin.
birdland
October 27, 2014
Jerseyjill, I love to get your opinion on these 2 products. The gel I've always used and its the only product that helps me today with no side effects. I read from http://www.paulaschoice.com the gel is a bad product and the lotion good. I tried the lotion but it also caused some hyperpigmentation. Do you know what ingredient in the lotion could cause hyperpigmentation and how concern should I be about using the gel (I read alcohol denatured is bad for the skin). Many thx Rapid Clear Acne Eliminating Spot Gel http://www.neutrogena.com/product/rapid+clear+acne+eliminating+spot+gel.do?sortby=ourPicks Active Ingredients: Salicylic Acid 2% Inactive Ingredients: Water, Alcohol Denatured 38%, Witch Hazel Extract (Hamamelis Virginiana), Polyacrylamide, Glycerin, C13 14 Isoparaffin, Cyclopentasiloxane, C12 15 Alkyl Lactate, Benzalkonium Chloride Solution, Capryloyl Glycine, Sarcosine, Cinnamomum Zeylancium Bark Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Butylene Glycol, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Extract, PPG 2 Isoceteth 20 Acetate, Phenethyl Dimethicone, Cetyl Lactate, Cocamidopropyl PG Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Laureth 7, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Ammonium Hydroxide, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance Rapid Clear Acne Defense Face Lotion http://www.neutrogena.com/product/rapid+clear+acne+defense+face+lotion.do?sortby=ourPicks Active Ingredient: Salicylic Acid 2% Inactive Ingredients: Water, C12 15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethiconol Beeswax, Dimethicone, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG 100 Stearate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Capryloyl Glycine, Sarcosine, Cinnamomum Zeylancium Bark Extarct, Hexylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Extract, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10 30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Fragrance
birdland
October 28, 2014
Do you have any tips on how to repair the skins barrier. I use cerave cleanser, emul oil, argan oil, Neutrogena sunscreen and Clinique Super Rescue Antioxidant Night Moisturizer. Thx
AHui
November 4, 2014
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